Glenn Maxwell retires from ODIs; Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan performed a component

One of the most explosive and entertaining cricketers of his generation, Glenn Maxwell has announced his retirement from One Day Internationals, bringing an end to an interesting 13-year journey in the 50-over format. With 3,990 runs at a blistering strike rate of 126.70, which is the highest ever among batters with over 2,000 ODI runs, Maxwell was a huge X-factor in the Aussie lineup.

A two-time World Cup winner (2015, 2023), he also chipped in with 77 wickets and delivered countless moments of brilliance, none better than his incredible double hundred against Afghanistan at the ODI World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium.

How Champions Trophy in Pakistan prompted Maxwell’s decision

While Maxwell had contemplated stepping away from ODIs for some time, it was Australia’s recent Champions Trophy campaign in Pakistan that proved decisive. The 36-year-old revealed that his body simply couldn’t cope with the rigours of 50-over cricket anymore.

“My decision to retire from one-day international cricket was probably more on the back of the first couple of games in the Champions Trophy,” he said while speaking on the Final Word podcast. “I felt like I gave myself a really good opportunity to be fit and ready for those games. The first game in Lahore, we played on a rock-hard outfield. Post that game I was pretty sore.

“We were lucky enough to have a washout against South Africa, where I had a bit more time to have a bit of rest and get myself ready for the next game. The following game against Afghanistan, we fielded for 50 overs on a really, really wet outfield. It was slippery, it was soft, and I just didn’t pull up that well. I started to (realise) that if I don’t have the perfect conditions in 50-over cricket, my body just struggles to get through that.”

“It feels like it’s a tiring affair just to get through–and almost surviving the 50 overs, let alone being at my best throughout that 50 overs, and then going out there and trying to perform with the bat as well. I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how my body was reacting to the conditions.”

A washout against South Africa gave him temporary respite, but the following match against Afghanistan, played on a wet and heavy outfield, convinced him that his time was up.

Maxwell’s decision follows ODI retirements from Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, and David Warner. This means the current World Cup champions are in a transition phase. Recently, they made it to the semi-final of the Champions Trophy before getting knocked out by eventual winners India.

Glenn Maxwell’s ODI career highlights

• 149 ODIs, 3,990 runs at an average of 34.13 and a strike rate of 126.70 – the highest ever for any batter with 2,000+ ODI runs.
• Two-time World Cup winner – part of Australia’s title-winning squads in 2015 and 2023.
• Scored a historic 201 vs Afghanistan* in the 2023 World Cup – the highest-ever score in a successful ODI chase and the first ODI double-century by an Australian.
• Claimed 77 wickets with his off-spin and was widely regarded as one of the best fielders of his generation.
• Played in three World Cups (2015, 2019, 2023).
• Retired after struggling with physical demands during the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, where tough outfield conditions pinpointed his declining recovery and fitness levels.